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Lowe on, Rapada off Rangers' roster

Lowe on, Rapada off Rangers' roster

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Rangers wanted an extra power arm from the right side for their bullpen.

They decided on right-hander Mark Lowe, who was added to the World Series roster before Game 1 against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. He replaces left-hander Clay Rapada, who was on the roster for the American League Championship Series. Lowe will be used as a short reliever in the middle innings.

"We just needed a power arm, a guy who can come into situations where we have to finish innings," manager Ron Washington said. "He can get us a ground ball and he can get us a strikeout."

Lowe was acquired from the Mariners in the Cliff Lee trade on July 9 but was on the disabled list after undergoing back surgery in June. He was able to get back in time to pitch in three games in the final week of the season, allowing four runs in three innings. At that point the Rangers didn't think he was ready for the playoffs but he has continued to throw and continued to improve over the past few weeks.

"In the back of my mind I think I knew when I had those three outings at the end of the season that my arm just wasn't ready," Lowe said. "I continued to throw down in Arizona numerous times. I don't know how many miles I've flown to be ready. Live BPs, bullpens, the whole nine yards since that last game, my arm strength finally came around and back came my slider. Everything else was ready to go."

The Rangers now think he is ready and could be an important weapon against the Giants' predominantly right-handed lineup.

"He's got good stuff," pitching coach Mike Maddux said. "He's got a good fastball, a good changeup and a decent slider. Looking at their right-handed lineup, we've got some spots for him with his stuff."

Lowe, who went to UT-Arlington, was 1-3 with a 3.48 ERA in 11 games with the Mariners before being placed on the disabled list on May 5. In 2009 he pitched in 75 games with the Mariners and was 2-7 with a 3.26 ERA. In 80 innings, he allowed 71 hits, walked 29 and struck out 69.